"Shorty" Almquist, former athletic director of Rock Island high school, who took part in the ground breaking ceremonies, said, "I thought the people had rocks in their heads at the time, building a big stadium like that, so far out of the residential area; it didn't seem to smart to me. But the people responsible proved to be pretty far-seeing.  It's been a wonderful facility for Rock Island High School and it will be for years to come."

   When the stadium was finished, the football players had to travel from downtown, where the old school was located to practice every night.  Students usually walked or rode their bicycles.  It was quite a jaunt for athletes to travel every evening for practice, and being as far out of the way as it was from homes, it was somewhat of a trip for spectators also.

   Rock Island won their first game in the new stadium against
   Cedar Rapids Grant High School, 6-0.

   The stadium was built to hold 14,000 fans.  Contractors designed a complex draining system, capable of accommodating floods or extremely dry weather, preventing improper drainage and cracking of the track
   Rocky stadium is surrounded with fur trees that have grown with the years, and are now a natural, dark green fence around the North end of the bowl.

   Anyone who has attended a game at the Rock knows to go to the bottom of the stadium when the wind gets tough, and the night wears on, making it colder.  As you start to get warmer, you begin to sympathize with the bare-legged flag girls from the band.

   The Stadium, named the Rock Island Public Schools Stadium in a contest held by the Argus, has provided for the school system for 50 years, not only for football but for track and field meets, lantern parades, and annual commenmencement exercises.   Costing $175,000, and holding the title of one of the finest in the country, the Rocky stadium has served as a spectacular investment.

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